GAME RECAPS

BARONS GRIND OUT 3-2 SHOOTOUT WIN OVER SAN ANTONIO

By Carter Baum, OKC Barons on 12/28/2012

The Oklahoma City Barons came back from a 2-0 deficit to beat the San Antonio Rampage 3-2 in a shootout Friday evening at the Cox Convention Center. Olivier Roy stopped 32 of 34 shots for the Barons. Oklahoma City improved to 16-10-1-3 on the season, while the Rampage fell to 11-17-0-4.

The two teams played a scoreless first period, with each team going 0-for-1 on the power play, with penalties to Oklahoma City’s Anton Lander for interference and San Antonio’s Alex Petrovic for hooking. Shots were 14 to 13 in favor of the Barons in the opening frame.

In the second period, the Barons had an early opportunity to get on the board on a 2-on-1 with Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle, but Rampage goaltender Jacob Markstrom was able to get all the way across the crease to make the save.

Shortly after Markstrom’s strong save, San Antonio scored the first goal of the contest. Casey Wellman converted a 3-on-1 break at the 1:44 mark of the period Jon Rheault and Quinton Howden picked up assists. San Antonio extended their lead to 2-0 with 8:37 left in the second period on a rebound goal from Jared Gomes from Jonathan Hazen and Mike Motteau.

Oklahoma City got on the board in the waining seconds of the second period with a power-play goal. Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle combined to work the puck on front of Markstrom. After the Rampage netminder stopped the initial shot, Teemu Hartikainen was able to chip in the rebound with under a second to play.

The Barons opened the third period with solid scoring chances, but Markstrom was standing tall in the net for San Antonio. Following those scoring chances, the Barons did tie the game at two. Taylor Hall used some deft stickwork to put a shot toward Markstrom. The puck bounded into the air and went in off of a charging Mark Arcobello. Officials reviewed the goal, but the original call was upheld and the score was tied 2-2.

Oklahoma City had an opportunity to win the game in regulation when Rampage forward Eric Selleck was assessed a double minor for high sticking at 15:36. Near the expiration of the first minor, Rampage defenseman Colby Robak was whistled for slashing. The Barons had several opportunities on the ensuing 5-on-3, but were unable to convert.

Early in the overtime, San Antonio had their own power-play opportunity when Mark Arcobello was whistled for tripping. Barons goaltender Olivier Roy stood tall for the Barons and kept the game tied 2-2.

In the shootout, Roy stopped four of five shooters, while the Barons converted on two of their four chances.

Oklahoma City next plays on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31 against the Texas Stars at 6 p.m. The first 2,000 adults and 1,000 kids will receive a free Barons practice jersey. Doors open at 5 p.m.